Tub bench



July 12, 1927.

F. F. PAGEL ET Al 'rua BENCH Filed Jan. 25, 1927 A TTORNEY.

Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED I. PAGEL AND CARL E. KLAWITTER, OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN.

TUB BENCH.

Application filed January 25 1927. Serial No. 163,451.

The invention relates to a bench, and more particularly to the class of foldable angular wash tub benches. I

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a bench of this character, wherein on the setting up of the same for use the supporting sections for wash tubs will be disposed at right, angles to each other, whereby on the placing of the wash tubs thereon, these will be located convenient to the user thereof and freely accessible at both sides of said user without necessitating the latter walking from one pointto another as would be-the case should the tubs be distributed upon separate benches located at diflerent distant oints.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bench of this character, wherein the legs and props thereof are readily foldable to lie between the top sections constituting the rest for wash tubs, when said bench is completely folded and in this manner when the bench is not in use it can be stored in the least possible space and rendered compact for the easy handling thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bench of this character, wherein the same When set up ready for use will be strong and firm to sustain the load of wash tubs, which will be conveniently located for a user.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a bench of this character, which is simple and novel in construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in its purpose, strong, readily and easily folded and unfolded at the option of a user, readily portable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of con struction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, showing the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a foldable bench, set up ready for use, and constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view, with the prop shown insection.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approx-' imately on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a side elevation of the bench when folded for disuse.

responding parts throughout the several views in' the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail the bench comprises generally the top tub supporting sections A and B,-respectively, intermediate prop C and end legs D, these being hereinafter more fully described.

The top section A is preferably of greater length than the top section B and it comprises a pair of spaced parallelside rails 10 and 11, respectively, joined by end rails 12 and 13, respectively, and an intermediate cross strut 14, these rails and strut being united in any suitable manner to assure rigidity to the section A. The section B comprises spaced parallel side rails 15 and 16, respectively, oined with end rails 17 and 18, and an intermediate cross strut 19. The end rails 12 and 17 of the sections A and B are disposed at a corresponding angle and are connected together through the medium of hinges20 nmuntedupon the underfaces of saidrails at the two points shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, whereby the sections A and B can be swung in parallel relation to each other on the folding of the bench as will be clearly apparent in Figure '4 of the drawing.

The rails 12 and 17 are substantially twice the thickness of the sections A and B,'so that when said sections are folded on to each other they will be properly spaced apart for the purpose presently described.

The section A has joined medially with the strut 14 and its end rail 12 a brace 21 which is in parallelism with the side rails 10, 11 of said section, while connected beneath this brace 21 and with the adjacent rail 12 is a hanger block 22 to which is connected a hinge 23 the same being also connected with the prop C- The prop C in cludes a. standard 24 and a foot 25 connected therewith. The hinge 23 connected with the standard 24 of the prop C, permits the latter to be folded inwardly between the sections A and B, when the latterare folded toward each other as will be apparent in Figure 4 of the drawing. The prop C supports the bench at a point intermediate the ends thereof.

Each leg D is provided with side members 26 and cross rungs 27, while secured to the outer faces of the side members 26 of each leg D are plate hinges 28 having goose-neck like extensions 29, which at their ends are coni'icctecil tov the side rails of the sections A and B through the medium of pivots 30, so that the legs I) can fold inwardly against the underside of the sections A and B to assume the position as shown in Figure 4; of the drawing, whereby the said legs D and prop G will b disposed between the said folded sections A and B.

The standard 24 of the prop C has mounted thereon a sprins: latching element 3i, which carries at its free resilient and a ball-like snap engaging keeper 32, the latter being designed to snap into engagement in a socket 33 formed in the hanger block 22 inits exposed face, so as to lock the standard 24 of the prop C in supporting position and against folding movement, when the bench s set up for use. The block 22 has formed therein a way or channel 34:

opening into the socket 33 to guide the whereby it will sustain the load of wash tubs or other articles when placed thereon.

\Vhen the bench is not in use the same is folded by swinging the sections A and B toward each other to bring the same into folded parallel relation as is shown in Figure 4 of the drz'iwing. It is of course understood that prior to the swinging of the sections A. and B toward each other the prop U is unlatched and folded and likewise the legs D are folded inwardly against the under or inner faces of the sections A and B of the bench. v

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of use of the foldablo bench will be clearly understood. 'llieretore, a more extended en'ilanation or detailed description has been omitted for the sake of brevity. It will be apparent that when the bench is set u for use the sections A and B are dispose at right angles to each other, but constitute a continuity of supporting surface for wash tubs or other articles to be placed thereon.

What is claimed is The combination with a bench having toldable sections hingedly connected together at their inner ends, legs for the outer ends of sa d sections, a support for the inner ends of said sections comprising a standard provided with a relatively wide foot, a socketed hanger block on the bench, a hinge connecting the standard to the block, and a snap spring hinge latching element on the standard having a ball engaging keeper adapted to enter the socketin the hanger block for locking the standard in supp0rting relation to the bench.

In testimony whereof, We afiix our signs; tures hereto.

FRED F. PAGEL. CARL E. KLAWITTER'. 

